The Toronto Maple Leafs were reportedly in on the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes.
After the NHL trade deadline passed on Friday, reports surfaced about the Maple Leafs' significant pursuit of the star forward. According to Nick Kypreos on Real Kyper and Bourne, Toronto was deep in discussions about packages to acquire the 28-year-old, offering a package centered around Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan, and two first-round picks.
“The Leafs had Minten, Cowan as I understand it, and two firsts on the table for Rantanen,” said Kypreos following the deadline. “They could have found different ways to probably shore up a lot of things, but that was the big move.”
The Carolina Hurricanes, who acquired Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in January, ultimately decided to move him to the Western Conference, where they wouldn’t risk facing him in the postseason.
“Carolina said no on the thought that they could meet the Leafs and Rantanen down the road in the playoffs,” Kypreos explained. “They went out west. They did not want to run into Rantanen, they did not want to run into the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs. They’re pushing him out west.”
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The Contract was Reportedly on the Table
According to Kypreos, Toronto wasn’t just deep in trade talks – they were also prepared to commit long-term. Kypreos suggested that the Leafs were willing to offer Rantanen an eight-year deal worth between $105 and $110 million, an annual average value (AAV) ranging from $13 million to $13.75 million.
NHL insider Chris Johnston later confirmed on TSN’s OverDrive that Toronto was “heavy” in the Rantanen sweepstakes. However, Carolina’s asking price reportedly included Matthew Knies and multiple picks, a demand that was deemed too steep for the Leafs.
OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) on X
Per @reporterchris with the guys:
#LeafsForever were heavy in the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes. #RaiseUp asked for a deal surrounding Matthew Knies, and multiple picks.
After lengthy negotiations that stretched from late Thursday night into Friday, the Hurricanes finalized a deal with the Dallas Stars, sending Rantanen back to the Central Division.
As part of the trade, Rantanen signed an eight-year, $96 million extension with the Stars, carrying a $12 million AAV. In exchange, Carolina received a haul of two first-round picks (2026 and 2028, both top-10 protected), two third-round picks (2026 and 2027), and Logan Stankoven.
Rantanen’s brief tenure in Carolina ended similarly to his time in Colorado, where extension talks stalled before the Avs ultimately decided to move on. Rantanen appeared in just 13 games for Carolina, scoring two goals, four assists, and six points.
As for the Leafs, it’s a matter of what could have been.
Had the Maple Leafs landed Rantanen for a postseason run, their trade deadline strategy could have looked drastically different – beyond the additions of center Scott Laughton and defenseman Brandon Carlo.
The move would have also had major implications for pending unrestricted free agent Mitch Marner, whose future in Toronto remains uncertain as he approaches a lucrative payday in free agency.
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